4-Ingredient Baked Tortellini

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Want a tasty dinner with almost no effort? Try 4-Ingredient Baked Tortellini! You can make this yummy meal in just 45 minutes with frozen tortellini, marinara sauce, water, and cheese. It’s super easy – you don’t even need to thaw or boil the pasta first.

This recipe is perfect for busy nights. You just mix the sauce and water, layer it with the frozen tortellini and cheese, then pop it in the oven. In less than an hour, you’ll have a hot, cheesy pasta dish that everyone will love. It’s a great way to feed your family or friends without spending hours in the kitchen.

Exact Ingredients

This recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients. You’ll need frozen cheese tortellini, marinara sauce, water, and cheese. Let’s look at some possible substitutes to customize the dish.

Possible Substitutes

You can swap the cheese tortellini for other filled pasta shapes like ravioli or agnolotti. Try different tortellini flavors too, like spinach or mushroom.

For the sauce, use your favorite jarred marinara or make your own. Vodka sauce or arrabbiata are tasty alternatives.

Mix up the cheeses to change the flavor. Try provolone, fontina, or a blend of Italian cheeses instead of mozzarella. Pecorino Romano works well in place of Parmesan.

Add some veggies like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition. Toss in cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to make it heartier.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or use nonstick cooking spray.

Mix marinara sauce, water, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour a thin layer of sauce in the dish.

Add half the frozen tortellini in a single layer. Top with half the remaining sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Layer the rest of the tortellini, then pour on the leftover sauce. Press down gently to coat all the pasta.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover tightly and bake for 20 minutes.

Uncover and bake 15-20 more minutes until tortellini is tender. For crispy cheese, broil for a couple minutes.

Let the dish cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. The pasta will soak up more sauce as it sits.

Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if you like. Enjoy your easy, cheesy baked tortellini!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Use high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor. You can also try different sauce varieties like vodka sauce or arrabbiata for a twist.

Add some veggies to boost nutrition. Frozen spinach or peas work well – just mix them in with the sauce before baking.

For extra protein, toss in some cooked chicken, ground beef, or Italian sausage.

Make it cheesier by adding ricotta between the layers of tortellini.

You can prep this dish ahead of time. Assemble everything in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the whole dish in the oven at 350°F until hot.

To freeze, let the baked tortellini cool completely. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.